Thanks Trip! My midwife actually told me that she thought my experinces would help me to be a better midwife/doula and I would be able to comfort those who've had a tough time-since I know the grief and disappointment first hand.

Hmmm, you've really got me thinking about it...I took a homebirth course a few years ago on a homestead in upstate NY and really loved it. I think my negative experiences just might be far enough behind me, now....They don't feel so raw. I've been working on accepting what's happened, instead of trying to figure out why.

For me it depends on who i'm talking to. For those "in the know" I use doula, I like the way it sounds and feels. But for people who may never heard of being a doula, I use labor assistant, but I find they think I'm involved with strikes and unions (labor disputes). Either way, I find I have to explain myself a lot!!!